Get Back on Track: Do THIS Before 2026 Ends to Take Control with Eric Thomas

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

November 5, 2026

Duration

56m

Channel

The Mel Robbins Podcast

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

If you’ve been feeling like this year got away from you, this episode will help you get back on track. In this powerful and practical conversation, Mel sits down with world-renowned pastor, and motivational speaker, and New York Times Bestselling author Dr. Eric Thomas to talk about how to get yourself back on track when life has knocked you off course. Dr. Thomas knows what it feels like to have your circumstances work against you. He went from being homeless and dropping out of high school to earning his Ph.D. in education from Michigan State University and becoming one of the most influential motivational speakers in the world known as ET The Hip Hop Preacher. But this conversation is not about pushing harder, grinding more, or trying to completely reinvent your life overnight. In this episode, Dr. Thomas shows you how to stop focusing on everything that is going wrong, identify what is still within your control, and start building momentum again one day at a time. He also shares his 52 day challenge that he created after watching himself and people around him lose hope during a difficult year, and will inspire you to take on this challenge as well. You’ll learn: -The story that inspired his 52-day challenge and why it completely changed the way he thinks about transformation -How to figure out the one area of your life that needs your attention right now -How to take the skills you already use successfully in one area of your life and apply them somewhere you feel stuck -How to choose a daily action that is realistic enough to actually stick with -How to recognize the excuses you keep making without beating yourself up -Why you do not need to change your whole life in order to change the direction of it -How to keep going when you are doing the work but still cannot see the result -The question to ask yourself when you feel like giving up -How to stop obsessing over how far you have to go and focus on what you can do today -Why getting back to your best self may be more powerful than trying to become a completely different person You do not have to solve your whole life before this year ends. You do not have to wait for your circumstances to change before you start feeling better. You just need to stop giving all of your attention to what you cannot control and start putting it toward what you can. If this year has worn you down, this conversation will help you focus on yourself, make one decision that moves you forward, and use the next 52 days to get your hope, clarity, and momentum back. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-453/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 2:15 How to Get Unstuck and Find Your Motivation Again 11:52 How to Choose and Build Habits That Stick 21:31 Take Back Control of Your Life 29:27 Small Decisions That Lead to Big Life Changes 32:43 The Hidden Cost of Making Excuses 36:08 The 52-Day Challenge: A Simple Plan to Change Your Life 44:21 Become the Best Version of Yourself: Start Today Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Dr. Eric Thomas

  guest

  Motivational speaker and educator known as “ET the Hip Hop Preacher,” with a master’s and Ph.D.

• Mel Robbins

  host

  Host of The Mel Robbins Podcast and author who interviews guests on personal development and behavior change.

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, featuring Dr. Eric Thomas and Mel Robbins, Get Back on Track: Do THIS Before 2026 Ends to Take Control with Eric Thomas explores A 52-day challenge to regain control, habits, and self-respect Dr. Eric Thomas and Mel Robbins frame a 52-day challenge as a realistic time box to “finish strong,” regain hope, and start the next chapter feeling in control.

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